Making It Work

Baby in the Classroom

From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 16 No. 6 November-December 1999 pp. 220-22

We provide articles from our publications from previous years for reference for our Leaders and members. Readers are cautioned to remember that research and medical information change over time.

"Making It Work" is a regular feature of the magazine NEW BEGINNINGS, published bimonthly by La Leche League International. In this column, suggestions are offered by readers of NEW BEGINNINGS to help mothers who wish to combine breastfeeding and working. Various points of view are presented. Not all of the information may be pertinent to your family's lifestyle. This information is general in nature, and not intended to be advice, medical or otherwise.

Situation

Next semester, I will
be returning to college classes as a student. My baby will be about
three months old at the start of the semester. I would like to bring
her to class with me regularly rather than leave her home with her dad
or a sitter. Has anyone tried this? Any helpful hints about making this
work?

Response

Here are a few hints, from
my multiple points of view as a college English professor, a student,
and a mother. Talk your situation over with a few instructors before
finalizing your schedule. You may find that some of them will be adamantly
opposed to the presence of a baby, while some will be more open to the
possibility. Some may let you attend different sections of the same
class if you have to miss your scheduled class. Many will probably be
helpful and sympathetic.

Try to sign up for small
classes, which are usually more casual and discussion-oriented. When
I was in graduate school, a student regularly brought her newborn to
a small class on women's poetry, and it worked out wonderfully! Sometimes,
the baby's father would come and pick him up during a break, but often
the baby just slept through the whole thing.

A three-month-old will probably
sleep and nurse happily in a sling, especially if you try to schedule
your classes at times when your baby is likely to be sleepy. Most people
probably won't even know she's with you! You will also have your hands
free for taking notes, and you won't have to worry about a bulky carriage
or stroller blocking classroom aisles or busy hallways.

Try to carry everything you
need for school and baby in just one bag, in case you need to leave
in a hurry. And don't forget to carry a water bottle with you! Classrooms
are often dry, dusty, and overheated, and you will need to drink lots
of fluids. Good luck. It can be done!

Sonia Michaels
Victoria BC Canada

Response

As a recently graduated college
student and a mother who takes her baby to work, I think I can offer
some advice. First, meet with each professor before the start of the
semester. Most professors will realize that if your baby cries, you
can just walk out of the room to avoid affecting the whole class. Then,
invest in a good backpack or carrier. You'll appreciate the hands-free
convenience. If possible, arrange your schedule so that you take classes
during nap time. The most important rule is to be flexible. Some days
your baby is just not going to be a polite visitor in class! For those
instances, try to set up a network with other students so you can each
exchange notes on days you miss class.

I've often wondered why you
almost never see babies on college campuses when women of childbearing
age are becoming the majority there. Why should women have to give up
mothering just so they can have a degree? Men don't seem to have the
same constraint. I believe the issue of bringing babies to class is
one of equal access to education. So, not only are you taking good care
of your baby by bringing her to school, you are setting an example for
other mothers. Good luck.

Christy Bills
Salt Lake City UT USA

Response

I am a mother of three children
and a college professor. I understand the desire to be with your child.
When considering whether to bring a baby to class, be respectful of
the other students in the class. You are all paying for this class,
and it is considerate not to disrupt the experience of the other students.
Some classes will work better than others. First, the instructor needs
to be supportive. Second, it helps if there is enough space in the room
so you do not have to sit right next to another student. Third, the
class needs to be appropriate for a baby. For example, many lab classes
can be dangerous for babies. Classes that expect student participation,
such as language classes, computer classes, or classes with in-class
group work would be more difficult. Finally, it depends on your baby.
At three months, I might have been able to bring my third child because
he slept a lot, but by six months he wanted to be up and about playing.
It would also help to share notes and tapes with classmates. Be careful
however about skipping class. It will be tempting to miss class if you
have the notes and tapes, but you will get more from the class if you
are there every day. My baby liked a backpack so he could see. You might
be able to quietly walk your daughter in the back of class on days when
she needs movement.

I also suggest you not overload
yourself with school. School is important, but your child is much more
important. Your child will only be young once. School you can do anytime,
and when you do it, you want to do well. Don't take a full load. One
or two classes would be a lot with a young child. It's okay to be with
your family and enjoy your baby! I do wish you the best. If you were
in my class, I would work with you to help you.

Anne Sergeant
Ames IA USA

Response

What worked for me was taking
the baby and a caretaker to school. They spent the day on campus, browsing
in the bookstore, sitting on the grass, and walking around campus. My
son really liked his stroller, so he slept for longer periods of time
than he usually did at home.

Establish yourself with your
professors as a serious student. Sit in the front of the class, and
ask lots of questions. You may be surprised how flexible and supportive
your professors will be when they see you are committed to learning.
If you have to miss a class, call or email your instructor as soon as
possible to ask about assignments or handouts. Email is a great way
to communicate with professors, because you can write any time of the
day or night. Keep up with your work, and work ahead whenever you can.
Assume that problems will come up, and plan accordingly.

Approach the situation with
confidence. I refuse to feel self-conscious about nursing regardless
of where I am, but especially on college campuses. People go to college
to get an education. If college students don't know how important human
milk is for growing babies, they should. Finally, I am surprised and
overwhelmed by the positive response my baby gets on college campuses.
Everyone has stopped to talk to usfrom professors to young male students
to secretaries to pregnant women. People will respect and admire you
for being dedicated to your child while furthering your own academic
and professional growth. Best of luck to you!

Judy Sides
Lancaster PA USA

Response

I have very fond memories
of attending college classes while breastfeeding. I attended college
for six years and had two babies during my pursuit of a degree. I approached
all my professors during my pregnancy and explained how I would continue
to attend classes with my baby. I tried to cover every contingency so
that I would be prepared to respond to their questions. I assured my
instructors that I would leave immediately if the baby caused any disruption.

I had very supportive friends
to take notes for me, and I tape-recorded most lectures. I would discreetly
nurse the baby in the back of the room, and I often sat by the door
so that if she cried, we could make a quick exit. Because I was majoring
in child development, my babies were often the source of much learning
and laughter. My instructors would occasionally use my daughter to demonstrate
a certain theory or behavior such as a reflex, which made learning even
more fun.

I would use nap times and
evenings to complete assignments, and I made sure to attend La Leche
League meetings where I received the support and information I needed.
During exams and finals, I arranged to have a family member care for
my baby on campus, often right outside of my classroom.

Be prepared to research laws
protecting breastfeeding. Many states in the US have passed laws protecting
a woman 's right to breastfeed in any public or private place where
she has a right to be. I did encounter one professor who continued to
resist the idea, despite numerous meetings and mediation with the college
dean. After I gathered letters of support from my pediatrician and other
professors, my baby was finally allowed to attend class with me.

I found it easier to schedule
classes with a break between each one, instead of one after the other.
This allowed us to walk at a leisurely pace, have a snack, and take
care of diaper changes and other needs between classes. You can do it.
Good luck with your educational endeavors!

Heidi S. Roibal
Albuquerque NM USA

Response

I began taking our oldest
child, Gregory, to school with me when he was three months old. Before
the first day of classes, I talked to each professor. All of the professors
were skeptical. They were concerned about my getting anything out of
the class. However, it ended up working beautifully. Gregory became
the "official mascot " of the classes. One of my professors
who had grown kids told me that if he could have a baby who was that
happy all of the time, he would have another one. I carried Gregory
in a front carrier and I finished the semester with a 3.8 grade point
average to the amazement of many. I began leaving him at home with his
dad after he reached seven months, when he began crawling and cruising.
I think his younger sisters would have been able to continue attending
classes with me for another year at least, because they were not nearly
as mobile.

I used a stroller to carry
a small diaper bag and my heavy backpack of books and notebooks, as
I had to walk long distances between classes. If you don 't have a lot
of books, I would suggest using a large backpack and a sling. As baby
gets older, I would suggest having a couple of baby toys, especially
extra pens and pencils because he will grab the ones you are trying
to write with! Allow plenty of time between classes if possible for
diaper changes and settling-in time. Arrive early, and get a seat close
to the door, so that if you have to get up and go out of class you can
do it without disrupting the other students. If you can, sit in a chair
without an attached desk to make nursing your baby easier, and put another
desk with chair next to your chair. Put your backpack in the second
chair so that you don 't have to bend down to get things out of your
backpack. I found the afternoon classes to be the easiest, because Gregory
would take his nap in the stroller next to me. I would hang a blanket
over the hood of the stroller to shut out as much light and noise as
possible. I remember fondly our going to school together. We educated
many people at the university about how simple, portable, and happy
a breastfeeding baby is.